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BushMob: Helping young people get back on track

Date posted: 18 November 2013

BushMob's intention is clear; they want young people in Central Australia who have lost their way to make some positive choices in their lives.

The Alice Springs-based organisation helps young men and women between the ages of 12 and 25 years to reconnect with their culture to help them overcome alcohol and substance use problems. One of the ways BushMob assists people is through its bush adventure therapy program.

Alice Springs local, Chris Ryder, is a case worker at BushMob and was riding horses before he could walk. He teaches young people bush skills and how to ride and care for horses as a way for them to heal and get their lives back on track. Chris says it is all about the participants and horses respecting each other. 'I get them in the yard and get to know the horse, touch them, pat them and walk around with them. When the young fellas and the horses get together, it's like a relationship, so everything works good,' Chris said.